How did the religion change during the Patriarchial period?

Religion during the Patriarchal period began with Abraham's selection by Yahweh to lead his people. G-d was said to be part of a covenantal relationship with the Hebrews, whom he promised to protect and care for as long as they were obedient. The Hebrews' relationship with G-d at this time was a kinship relationship, meaning that only Abraham and descendants of Abraham alone could truly worship G-d. Early Hebrews probably had little to do with the Yahweh cult introduced by Moses, though there is a very small possibility that the very first religions believed in animalistic forces or even polytheism. There is a likelihood that early religions worshiped multiple gods with Yahweh as their regional primary god, though all religions worshiping Yahweh above all eventually united and became an entirely monotheistic religion, later forming ethical monotheism. Most importantly, at the end of the Patriarchial period, several tribes of Israel identified as worshiping the same god.

Manual for Cultural Foundations of Ancient Civilizations

CM